Wheel building lessons with Arup

First off I aint no expert. Never built a wheel in me life. Started down that road but found myself out of work and couldn't afford the tools and parts. Got sidetracked with all the theory and developed a database instead. Still find it all fascinating.

So, spokes for the build session.

1. Tell your LBS what hub and rim you want to use and the lacing pattern (they might advise you on this if you don't know) and buy your spokes off them this time. If they turn out wrong it's their fault and you should expect them to change them.
   
   

Or

1. Download my database as I've written quite a bit about how to do the measurements yourself. There's diagrams there to show you.
   
   

Arup, I have a HD video cam and iMovie which should be enough to knock up a vid if you want to do that prior to build day. Haven't really done one before but I reckon it's not difficult.

Ian

Just checked on where I got my digital callipers for doing the hub measurements. It was an eBay supplier and it was less than a tenner so if you Google ...

"6in Caliper Micrometer Tool LCD Digital Vernier 150mm"

You should find plenty of options to buy.

Ian

I can help you out with the spoke length calculations before the session via the forum or via email especially with hubs and rims I've used before. Then your mind will be at peace knowing that you have the correct length of spoke for your build.

Arup, so grateful for your innitiative... I am going to try my first build this weekend. Count me in for the 17th if there is still room. At best I'd like the wheel checked and at worst advice on what went wrong...

Hi Arup, Think you are the same chap that has the blog, which I have bookmarked. Certainly very informative. Helped me build my first wheels. Built 4 wheels by now, and another 2 on the way. Although scary and difficult looking ,with care and thought they turn out well. At the moment my first set had done over 3000 miles around Blackpool(Cycling friendly! .....) on the daily commute, without so much as a true, This bike has a seriously high gear ratio. 52 to 14. The other new wheels have completed the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride. Yep if you can get chance to see a build by a bloke who knows what he's doing go and watch. Really satisfying riding your own wheels - don't save much money though...

PS. Musson book is seriously good! It is clearly written. Lots of additional stuff on his website after youv'e bought the book. £9. Again no links with him. Print it out if you can.

Right, so we have a date now we need a list. It's a week tomorrow for those who want to go for the 17th. So you don't have long to get hold of your spokes. Get yourself a 3.2mm spoke key, that's the black one. That's the most important tool. I usually do the whole process on the truing stand but you can just as easily do it in your lap or on the floor.

I think I'll do it in a similar way to my yoga and web design classes - a short demo and then let you get on with it. Come round and help then show you a bit more. I can explain theory and interesting asides as we go along while you have something to engage you rather than just sitting and listening.

I'm only going to cover the 3-cross pattern in detail as it's the one that is most commonly used. Other ones such as radial, crow's foot, and 3-leading 3-trailing maybe at another session.

We can take turns with the wheel truing stand and the spoke tensiometer.

I've updated my wheel site with my new address which you'll find here:

http://yogarup.com/wheels/contact

Attending Arup's wheel building workshop:

1. Arup
   2.
   

Attending Arup's wheel building workshop:

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   

Hi, I can't make that one, and then I'm on holiday for 3 weeks, but do you think you are likely to do another one later in the year?

Attending Arup's wheel building workshop: July 17th.

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. mr lunch (just to watch)
   

1. fugit
   

Attending Arup's wheel building workshop: July 17th.

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. mr lunch (just to watch)
   
4. fugit
   

Attending Arup's wheel building workshop: July 17th.

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. mr lunch (just to watch)
   
4. fugit
   

thanks mr lunch, you beat me to it

:-)

1. mr lunch (just to watch)
   

My 2p is try and get a wheel to build. either re build an old wheel with new spokes or find someone who wants one building or go all out and buy a cheap hub and rim and make one for yourself. I was shown quite a few times how to build wheels but still managed to forget and also it's a very hands on thing. just saying

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. mr lunch (just to watch)
   
4. fugit
   
5. Andyfallsoff
   
   

Ta very much, looking forward to it!

1. Arup
   
2. L&W - pencilled in - will see how I get on with my front wheel this weekend
   
3. mr lunch (just to watch)
   
4. fugit
   
5. Andyfallsoff
   
6. 2Phat4Rapha
   
   
   

Was a time decided?

I was thinking 11am which should give you plenty of time to get up and make your way over without it feeling like a work day. Have some more garden furniture now. Had some friends round for dinner last night and they kindly bought me a patio table and a couple of chairs.

I'll have to pencil myself in for the next one. Whilst I am ordering my spokes today (hope to god I measured my ERD and Hubs correctly) I have 2 very good friends birthdays clash with each other already this weekend, as well as preparing for my parents visit for my degree ceremony on the monday... trying to crowbar in some learning looks near impossible :(

I guess I should specify an end time as well. I'm thinking that 2 and half hours would cover it, including a break. I have about a dozen wheel builds to do this week most of which should be done by the weekend but there are more on the way. If there are any remaining that need a basic 3-cross lacing then I can use them as examples on Saturday.

So just to reconfirm the time 11.00 - 13.30 with breaks as you need. No charge on this occassion as I just want to see how it goes. Any donations welcome of course and feel free to bring drinks and snacks to share.

There may be another 3 coming who have contacted me via PM and email.

Stuff to bring with you:

3.2mm spoke key
coffee or jam jar lid for your nipples
short flat head screwdriver
small bottle of chain lube to grease your threads
notepad for taking notes

Also have a look through my tutorial videos as I'll be following the same stages on Saturday.

Can we get a link to the tutorial vids? I can't seem to find them.

Anyway, my spokes have arrived. But this weekend is looking impossible. Re: Truing stand, will I need one to build wheels at home? Is doing it in the bike going to be too difficult?

Can we get a link to the tutorial vids? I can't seem to find them.

Anyway, my spokes have arrived. But this weekend is looking impossible. Re: Truing stand, will I need one to build wheels at home? Is doing it in the bike going to be too difficult?

Post #21 above!
https://www.lfgss.com/thread41350.html

Let's hope the weather holds out as the forecast is saying light rain. Shame to have to go indoors. My sitting room is pretty much empty though as I'm planning to teach yoga in there at some point.